Zach Galifianakis Pursues Dream Job of Clown in FX Series Baskets

FX announced on Wednesday that they have signed the comedic duo of Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K. to work together producing a single-camera, half-hour TV series called Baskets. The FX series, about Chip Baskets (Zach Galifianakis) trying to pursue his dream job of being “a respected clown,” was co-created by Zach, Louis C.K. and Portlandia‘s co-creater, Jonathan Krisel. Baskets will premiere sometime in 2016.

Clowns are loved by some and feared by many; but, like the late Rodney Dangerfield, the generally do not get much “respect.” FX is showing them some by already ordering 10 episodes of Baskets. In the upcoming Season Four of American Horror Story: Freak Show, a crazed clown will be the main villain. Advance word is that he will be, supposedly, “the scariest clown ever.”

There will be no need to fear the clown that Zach Galifianakis will be playing in Baskets, as the role is meant to garnish laughter rather than to create feelings of terror. Not everyone takes the chance to follow his or her dreams, but Chip Baskets does, leaving behind his corporate job in Bakersfield, California, to become a respected clown.

However, Chip’s initial attempts meet with failure when he tries to enroll in Paris’ most famous clowning school and he is rejected. In desperation, Chip Baskets applies for the job of being a clown in a local rodeo. He finds that it is not so easy to live the dream, but everyone must start somewhere.

According to Eric Schrier, the president of original programming for FX, the trio of Jonathan Krisel, Louis C.K. and Zach Galifianakis “have created an absolutely brilliant show.” He called Zach’s portrayl of Chip Baskets “hilarious/unique/riveting/fascinating,” adding that everyone at FX “can’t wait for the world to meet him.”

FX has stated that production on Baskets will begin in 2015 and the series will debut in 2016. It is the first production of a series under a deal that FX Productions has with Louis C.K. and Pig Newton, which he calls his production company.

Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis and Jonathan Krisel are no strangers at earning Emmys. Just this past Monday on the 66th Primetime Emmys awards show, Louis C.K. won an Emmy for writing an episode of his comedy show, Louie. About a week earlier, Zach Galifianakis was a part of a team in the short-format live-action entertainment category at the Creative Arts Emmys that was awarded an Emmy. It was for his interview with President Obama on “Between Two Ferns,” his hilarious web series. Krisel has been nominated for Emmys in the categories of directing and writing for the comedy series Portlandia.

The FX Networks is striving to attract viewers with the highest-quality TV programming that they can. Proof of that is their commitment with C.K.’s production company and the fact that the FX Networks have, counting Baskets, five comedy series in the works. The other four comedy series are The Tracy Morgan Project with the FXX network, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll with FX, The Comedians with FX, and Man Seeking Woman for the FXX network. It will be directed by Jonathan Krisel. The five new comedy series brings the FX Networks total of comedies to 11.

The comedic duo of Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K., along with Portlandia‘s co-creater, Jonathan Krisel, have created what is likely to be comedic gold with the series Baskets, due to premiere in 2016. The series, about Chip Baskets and his pursuance of his dream to become a respected clown, is a part of the FX Networks’ commitment to bring high-quality comedy series to the American public.